I'm already seeing what were dormitory villages come to life because the residents are there in the day and with that come facilities and different opportunities
During lockdown there were a lot of people who (finally) got off their arses to do something for the community. However most did it out of boredom or because they were furloughed. I don't believe it's likely to continue long term tbh. It's still the same faces doing most stuff.
I wonder if the rise in WFH is going to see a house price adjustment, as the shoeboxes built in the past 30 years suddenly become totally unfit for purpose ?
(Ponders the possibility of using the unheated outside storage units some modern houses come with. Maybe there's a growth market in fitting them out as offices ?)
There is a little bit of an assumption going on there. The not fit for purpose showboxes are all many can afford. And in many places, house prices are already extortionate outside the cities in very rural areas and villages. I can't see demand for them changing because house prices are hugely driven by good schools.
People with money moving out of London has had a negative affect in terms of localism where I am. The only people able to afford to buy / move up the ladder have lived in the south. House prices here for 2 beds didn't rise and there were no smaller 3 or 4 beds built. Instead those with money leapfrogged into the executive homes that no one here could afford. There is huge resentment between long term residents and people moving in (who have an attitude of entitlement but aren't prepared to do fuck all for the community stuff they prize).
Smaller 3 beds and garages are being routinely converted already and have been for about 5 years or so. This is making the problem with a lack of 2nd tier homes in the housing ladder worse by reducing the already small number of properties in this tier even further. Now the only way to move up is to move out (once you have the kids in the school of course which also weakens the lack of community champions).
This will be awful for anyone who grew up in 'escape to the country' land. You will see an acceleration of the pattern of 'ghettoising' of certain undesirable areas.
Maybe it will alleviate some of the property issues in London, but realistically people moving out of London aren't going to head to Stoke or Knowsley or Middlesbrough.
You will just get entrenchment of the middle classes and not a lot more opportunities born from it.